There is now reason to believe Bryant will have a new contract before the start of Thursday's preseason finale versus the Broncos, Silver said on Tuesday's edition of NFL Total Access.

Bryant has been borderline unguardable this month after leading the NFL in touchdown receptions over the past two seasons. He believes he has earned the right to be compensated as a top-five wide receiver.

Executive vice president Stephen Jones has made it clear the organization wants Bryant to be "a Cowboy for life."

It sounds like the Cowboys agree that Bryant deserves to be rewarded with a contract on par with those of Mike Wallace and Percy Harvin at roughly $12 million annually.